MTRCB censures ‘Fisting’ title of Cinema One entry

Jasmine Curtis-Smith in “Never Tear Us Apart”

Whammy Alcazaren’s Cinema One entry, “Fisting: Never Tear Us Apart,” got in trouble with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

In a memorandum, the MTRCB noted that the promotional materials for “Fisting” film “have not been submitted to the Board for appropriate review and classification.”

It cited Section 3, Chapter IV of Presidential Decree No. 1986 that states “trailers and publicity materials for movie and television programs must strictly be made suitable for a General Audience (‘G’) classification.”

As a result, the filmmakers concerned have decided to remove “Fisting” from the title and it will now be known simply as “Never Tear Us Apart.”

The word “fisting” refers to a sexual act that requires the use of the fist.

“We assure the public that materials, which do not fall within the ‘G’ classification, shall not be approved for exhibition in a moviehouse, broadcast in television, publication in print media and exposure in other related media,” stressed the memorandum, which was signed by MTRCB chair Maria Rachel Arenas.

The filmmakers behind the movie, through its director Alcazaren, told the Inquirer: With regard to the MTRCB statement, “We are pulling out all promo materials and collaterals associated with the previous title. We are shutting down our social media accounts and doing appropriate action.”

In a statement, they pointed out: “It is sad and unfortunate, and we must also shut down all our social media accounts and previous promotions as these carry the film’s previous title. The film is so much more than the title and the poster. And because we understand that they are not for everyone, we are doing these necessary steps so that we can continue the dialogue we wanted to have with the audience through our film.”

They reiterated: “The film remains to be about an aging spy and the afflictions of his family. And it is our hope that audiences will still watch the film. We heed the wise words of Beyoncé’s grandmother-in-law—here is life, here are lemons, let’s make lemonade.”

Topbilled by Ricky Davao, Meryll Soriano and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, “Never Tear Us Apart” is an entry in the 2018 Cinema One film fest, which will run from Oct. 12 to 21.